July 22, 2024
Bibi Graetz Testamatta 2018 - The 100 Point Vintage
Bibi Graetz, a visionary winemaker in Tuscany, has consistently pushed the boundaries of what Sangiovese can achieve. His 2018 Testamatta is a testament to his dedication and artistry, earning an impressive 100-point rating from Decanter. This vintage exemplifies the perfect harmony of traditional winemaking techniques with modern sensibilities, creating a wine that resonates with both history and innovation.
The Legacy of Bibi Graetz
Bibi Graetz's journey as a winemaker is as remarkable as his wines. Initially a painter, Graetz turned to winemaking with the same passion and creativity he brought to his art. His unconventional approach and unwavering commitment to quality have earned him a place among Tuscany’s top winemakers. The 2018 Testamatta is a shining example of his philosophy, blending tradition with innovation to produce a wine that speaks to both the heart and the palate.
The 2018 Vintage: A Perfect Storm
The 2018 growing season in Tuscany was marked by ideal conditions. A mild spring followed by a hot, dry summer allowed the Sangiovese grapes to ripen perfectly, developing intense flavors and aromas. This climatic balance was crucial in producing a wine of such exceptional quality. Jane Anson of Decanter praises the Testamatta 2018, noting its "clarity of flavor and sense of energy," which ensures it "just springs out of the glass."
Critical Acclaim of Testamatta 2018
The 2018 Testamatta has received widespread acclaim from critics, solidifying its status as a modern classic. Jane Anson’s 100-point rating in Decanter is a testament to the wine’s exceptional quality. She lauds the wine's "great persistency through the palate," a clear indicator of its balance and finesse. This vintage is not just a triumph for Bibi Graetz but also a significant milestone for Tuscan winemaking.
Bibi Graetz Testamatta 2018
100 Points | Jane Anson, Tasted March 2022
I loved this when first tasting it in bottle, and it is totally living up to my expectations. The clarity of flavour and the sense of energy ensures it just springs out of the glass, ready to please and without the slightest hint of a dip through the mid palate. Sangiovese signature comes across in raspberry, red cherry, rose petals, tobacco, freshly cured leather, great persistency through the palate, showing balance and finesse. The tannins are fine and silky but not afraid to ask for engagement and time from those of us lucky enough to be tasting it. Fermented with natural yeasts, aged in oak casks and neutral barrels for 20 months.
100 Points | Jane Anson (whilst at Decanter), Tasted August 2020
Finely textured, with a nuanced perfume that fills the glass and takes you to the intense underbrush of Tuscany. Succulent and yet savoury, this has a lilting freshness that is overlaid with ripe berry fruits, sage and white pepper spice, and clear minerality in terms of its scraping texture that makes your mouth water on the finish. Feels light and sculpted and yet has an intensity that skewers you to the spot. This is a great wine, with scope and imagination that doesn't want to let you go. Genuinely stands out among the wines of this tasting, and these are a fine array of wines. As with Colore, Bibi Graetz selects only old vines, the youngest 50 years old from five different vineyard sites across Tuscany, all farmed organically. Fermentations in open 225l barrels with natural yeasts and manual punch downs.